(Aledo, IL) -- The first weekend of firearm deer hunting in Illinois begins this weekend. DNR officials are reminding hunters that they need to be careful in tree stands and be sure to strap in with a harness. Hunters should be mindful of where other hunters are located and identify shots before firing their gun. Hunters will be lining the woods today through Sunday and again the weekend of November 29th through December 2nd. More than 97-thousand deer were harvested during last year’s firearm season.